Oncology

Uncommon EGFR mutations in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain challenging to treat, but new tyrosine kinase inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and a proposed “PACCage insert” framework provide opportunities to advance precision therapy.

Treatment of EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is shifting toward next-generation sequencing and combination regimens that improve survival but increase toxicity, requiring individualized care.

Antibody-drug conjugates are rapidly reshaping the treatment landscape of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with advances in design, clinical efficacy, and regulatory approvals tempered by ongoing challenges in toxicity, resistance, and biomarker optimization.

Bispecific antibodies are emerging as a transformative class in advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with agents such as amivantamab and zenocutuzumab already demonstrating clinical benefit and a broad pipeline of investigational therapies showing promise in overcoming resistance.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) offer complementary yet distinct frameworks for lung cancer care, reflecting differences in evidence evaluation, regional adaptation, and policy integration.

Patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) experienced better responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors if they had higher levels of NOTCH1 expression in a recent study.

The findings may inform future studies on the therapeutic strategy for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

The 6-month progression-free survival rate for the combination therapy was 52.2%.

Yale Podnos, MD, MPH, FACS, discusses strategies to address social determinants of health in oncology, improve clinical trial enrollment for underserved communities, and leverage value-based care models to reduce financial toxicity and ensure equitable cancer care.

Daniel Virnich, MD, highlights the need for proactive social determinants of health screening, language-inclusive clinical trial practices, value-based treatment decisions, and policy reforms to improve equitable access to cancer care.

Lauren Antrim, MD, of City of Hope Cancer Center Duarte, emphasized the need for more evidence to guide optimal immunotherapy duration and sequencing in in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), highlighting ongoing trials and the potential role of ctDNA in tailoring treatment strategies.

Housing assistance significantly reduces medical financial hardship for renters with a history of cancer, enhancing their financial security and access to care amid rising health costs.

Lauren Antrim, MD, emphasized the need to balance safety, efficacy, and financial considerations when managing immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC, underscoring the importance of patient-centered discussions and ongoing trials to refine treatment duration strategies.

The study found no difference in physician communication scores between patients with advanced cancer and other illnesses, suggesting that discordance may stem from other dynamics.

Jonathan Thompson, MD, MS, explains how financial, insurance, and socioeconomic barriers limit equitable access to biomarker testing and advanced therapies, underscoring the need for provider advocacy and systemic support.

Ravi Vij, MD, MBA, explains how insurance-related delays in CAR T approval slow treatment initiation, increase interim therapy costs, and contribute to patient burden.

In advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), discontinuing immunotherapy after 2 years can maintain durable responses while reducing financial and toxicity burdens, with decisions guided by residual disease testing and shared decision-making, explained Jonathan Thompson, MD, MS.

RIsing costs for therapies and inequities in reimbursement for genomic testing have created financial barriers for patients, according to appearing experts in Detroit, Michigan, on July 10, 2025.

Ravi Vij, MD, MBA, discusses the logistical differences between administering CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, and how emerging CAR T technologies could affect patient access.

Jonathan Thompson, MD, MS, explains that adjuvant immunotherapy benefits patients with early-stage lung cancer with incomplete neoadjuvant response, while treatment decisions in the adjuvant setting must weigh efficacy, toxicity, and limited evidence.

Jonathan Thompson, MD, MS, highlighted that reducing delays in molecular testing and treatment initiation is critical for improving lung cancer outcomes, and that clinical trial data suggest immunotherapy duration can often be safely de-escalated in patients who achieve a complete pathologic response.

Health systems must prepare for the growing impact of cell and gene therapies by addressing their high costs, complex care pathways, and payer collaboration needs to ensure timely and sustainable patient access.

Jonathan Thompson, MD, MS, emphasized that broader molecular testing in early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is essential to guide perioperative treatment decisions, while selective retesting at progression can identify resistance mutations or new targets to optimize value-based care.

Emilie Aschenbrenner, PharmD, BCOP, outlines how Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin use outpatient-based care models, standardized protocols, and collaborative partnerships to improve cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and patient experience.

Jonathan Thompson, MD, MS, emphasized that comprehensive biomarker testing with next-generation sequencing and PD-L1 analysis—implemented as reflex testing at biopsy—is essential to guide precision therapy in lung cancer and to address persistent disparities in timely, equitable access to care.